The infant carrier is great for outside the car--you really need something to tote the baby around elsewhere, like the store. And they can nap in it too--it's less trouble than a car-only seat plus z stroller. Check with your local health department, fire department, or department of transportation--they often have free carseat programs. You might luck out and get both :). My hospital gives an infant seat to every person who delivers there, but I haven't heard of other hospitals that do that.

The infant carrier is great for outside the car--you really need something to tote the baby around elsewhere, like the store. And they can nap in it too--it's less trouble than a car-only seat plus z stroller. Check with your local health department, fire department, or department of transportation--they often have free carseat programs. You might luck out and get both :). My hospital gives an infant seat to every person who delivers there, but I haven't heard of other hospitals that do that.

We actually did both, but it was more for my peace-of-mind than anything (I've been in 3 car accidents, and I was terrified of having by baby in the car). I liked that set-up a lot. We got a really good Graco infant seat for when Allan was tiny. And then, we got a moderately priced, but highly rated Safety 1st convertible seat that Allan can use until he doesn't need a seat anymore. Since my babies are really close in age (Allan will be 1 this weekend!), we'll need to get another convertible seat for new baby when it's time, but that's not a big deal to us at all.

We actually did both, but it was more for my peace-of-mind than anything (I've been in 3 car accidents, and I was terrified of having by baby in the car). I liked that set-up a lot. We got a really good Graco infant seat for when Allan was tiny. And then, we got a moderately priced, but highly rated Safety 1st convertible seat that Allan can use until he doesn't need a seat anymore. Since my babies are really close in age (Allan will be 1 this weekend!), we'll need to get another convertible seat for new baby when it's time, but that's not a big deal to us at all.

Thanks! I borrowed an infant seat from my SIL with my son, he was a little porker and out grew it at 5mo. That seat isn't available this go round and I just can't see paying $150-200 for a seat that'll only last us a few months... I just hope it's not going to be a huge inconvenience

Thanks! I borrowed an infant seat from my SIL with my son, he was a little porker and out grew it at 5mo. That seat isn't available this go round and I just can't see paying $150-200 for a seat that'll only last us a few months... I just hope it's not going to be a huge inconvenience

We brought my daughter home from the hospital in a convertible seat. I wasn't a fan. She was really slouched and it didn't seem safe. She left the hospital 6lbs 9oz so she was on the small side. We switched to an infant seat after that.

It may have just been the brand of seat or the way we had it installed. It was pretty upright, so I think that was part of the problem. Maybe you could google pictures of newborns in whichever kind of carseat you plan on using so that you know how your baby will fit.

I also agree with pp that it is easier to use an infant seat at first. That way if they're sleeping you don't have to wake them to get them out of the car. I'm not sure how you would go shopping with baby if you couldn't put their carseat in the cart. Maybe some other ladies would have good ideas for you though.

Good luck with whichever you decide to do!

We brought my daughter home from the hospital in a convertible seat. I wasn't a fan. She was really slouched and it didn't seem safe. She left the hospital 6lbs 9oz so she was on the small side. We switched to an infant seat after that.

It may have just been the brand of seat or the way we had it installed. It was pretty upright, so I think that was part of the problem. Maybe you could google pictures of newborns in whichever kind of carseat you plan on using so that you know how your baby will fit.

I also agree with pp that it is easier to use an infant seat at first. That way if they're sleeping you don't have to wake them to get them out of the car. I'm not sure how you would go shopping with baby if you couldn't put their carseat in the cart. Maybe some other ladies would have good ideas for you though.

I personally would recommend the Graco 35 infant car seat. It can come as a travel system with the matching stroller which is what we got. My son is 14months old and a big boy (off the charts) and is just now outgrowing it. It is top ratted and not that expensive. If we would have gotten the regular infant car seat that only goes up to 22 lb and 29" our son would have outgrown it by 6 months.

I personally would recommend the Graco 35 infant car seat. It can come as a travel system with the matching stroller which is what we got. My son is 14months old and a big boy (off the charts) and is just now outgrowing it. It is top ratted and not that expensive. If we would have gotten the regular infant car seat that only goes up to 22 lb and 29" our son would have outgrown it by 6 months.

The Evenflo infant carrier with base that I used was only about $50-60 or so at Wal-Mart, and it was perfectly safe. I agree that it doesn't make sense to spend up to $200 on an infant seat, but unless you're planning on buying baby Prada, there is no reason you'd have to spend that much. :)

The Evenflo infant carrier with base that I used was only about $50-60 or so at Wal-Mart, and it was perfectly safe. I agree that it doesn't make sense to spend up to $200 on an infant seat, but unless you're planning on buying baby Prada, there is no reason you'd have to spend that much. :)

We used an infant seat for my son and are putting it to use again for his little sister. He stayed in the infant seat till he was 1, and he fit fine in it at that age. I guess my point is that to me it wasn't a waste of money bc I used it for a full year. I want to say that my whole system was about $230ish and we are still using the stroller so I def got my bro in law's money's worth lol.

We used an infant seat for my son and are putting it to use again for his little sister. He stayed in the infant seat till he was 1, and he fit fine in it at that age. I guess my point is that to me it wasn't a waste of money bc I used it for a full year. I want to say that my whole system was about $230ish and we are still using the stroller so I def got my bro in law's money's worth lol.

We opted for the infant seat first. Do your research on the seats. We liked the infant seat being made for itty bitty babies. The convenience of being able to move DS in his seat was awesome from the car to stroller or to the house on really bad days. There were many times that he was super fussy (colic) and only slept in his carseat. We put the seat with him strapped in so he was safe in his room for naps quite a bit. That and just having the extra bases made sitters super easy. We also have the britax marathon for him (after the infant seat) and that ones easy to move but it gets heavy. With the infant seat you can lick the seat into it's base that's stays in the car. It also kept the seat and buckles from getting to hot or cold.

We opted for the infant seat first. Do your research on the seats. We liked the infant seat being made for itty bitty babies. The convenience of being able to move DS in his seat was awesome from the car to stroller or to the house on really bad days. There were many times that he was super fussy (colic) and only slept in his carseat. We put the seat with him strapped in so he was safe in his room for naps quite a bit. That and just having the extra bases made sitters super easy. We also have the britax marathon for him (after the infant seat) and that ones easy to move but it gets heavy. With the infant seat you can lick the seat into it's base that's stays in the car. It also kept the seat and buckles from getting to hot or cold.

But, from the reading I have done, and talking with my OB (whoÂ obviouslyÂ makes no profit from the baby stores I will shop at...) I have been STRONGLY encouraged to get an infant car seat first. Â Why? Â It fits the baby better. Â I do not plan on carrying the baby in the car seat, as research has shown that it is actually not as good forÂ development, so I plan on using a bassinet based stroller for the first few months. Â An infant car seat, while it will last a year or less, is safer.

And I would also say a car seat that cost more does offer more protection. Â I dont plan on putting my little one in designer clothing, but I do want the safest car seat. Â The difference in the less $$$ vs. more $$$ are plastic qualities, how high up the foam goes (under the seat pads), side protection, etc.

Dont just look online, go to the stores and really touch, feel, play with the sample models! Â We spend 9 months keeping our little ones safe inside our bellies, now we need to do the same in our cars!

Just another opinion:

First off having either option is WAY better then nothing.

But, from the reading I have done, and talking with my OB (whoÂ obviouslyÂ makes no profit from the baby stores I will shop at...) I have been STRONGLY encouraged to get an infant car seat first. Â Why? Â It fits the baby better. Â I do not plan on carrying the baby in the car seat, as research has shown that it is actually not as good forÂ development, so I plan on using a bassinet based stroller for the first few months. Â An infant car seat, while it will last a year or less, is safer.

And I would also say a car seat that cost more does offer more protection. Â I dont plan on putting my little one in designer clothing, but I do want the safest car seat. Â The difference in the less $$$ vs. more $$$ are plastic qualities, how high up the foam goes (under the seat pads), side protection, etc.

Dont just look online, go to the stores and really touch, feel, play with the sample models! Â We spend 9 months keeping our little ones safe inside our bellies, now we need to do the same in our cars!

I would definitely get the infant seat first. It's warmer for baby putting them in and out of car and you can bundle them in it. And also when they fall asleep (which my dd did every car ride) you don't have to wake them by getting them out. It might be worth looking on craigslist or garage sales.

I would definitely get the infant seat first. It's warmer for baby putting them in and out of car and you can bundle them in it. And also when they fall asleep (which my dd did every car ride) you don't have to wake them by getting them out. It might be worth looking on craigslist or garage sales.

No, it is not worth it to get a car seat from craigslist or garage sales! I would never ever recommend using a used car seat, unless you well-know the people who used it first, and you know that it's never been in accident. Car seats are no longer viable after accidents or recalls. Bad idea.

No, it is not worth it to get a car seat from craigslist or garage sales! I would never ever recommend using a used car seat, unless you well-know the people who used it first, and you know that it's never been in accident. Car seats are no longer viable after accidents or recalls. Bad idea.

Great points ladies, but I'm still torn! I used a Graco snugride with my son and hated most things about it. My son screamed every time he was in it so car rides and shopping were miserable (I just shopped with him in a wrap) it was heavy and awkward to carry, if on the off chance he did fall asleep he would wake when clicking it in or out of the base, I used the LATCH system to secure the base in my car but never felt it was any where near secure as we'd like even after having the fire department verify it was correctly installed. On the flip side, having a December baby it will be easier to keep the baby warm in an infant seat especially with our J.J. Cole bundle me, and because they are so much smaller and with the bases it makes it easy to transfer between vehicles when need, though that's rare in our situation. I'm a big Britax fan and have been looking into the boulevard, any one used that one with an infant?

Great points ladies, but I'm still torn! I used a Graco snugride with my son and hated most things about it. My son screamed every time he was in it so car rides and shopping were miserable (I just shopped with him in a wrap) it was heavy and awkward to carry, if on the off chance he did fall asleep he would wake when clicking it in or out of the base, I used the LATCH system to secure the base in my car but never felt it was any where near secure as we'd like even after having the fire department verify it was correctly installed. On the flip side, having a December baby it will be easier to keep the baby warm in an infant seat especially with our J.J. Cole bundle me, and because they are so much smaller and with the bases it makes it easy to transfer between vehicles when need, though that's rare in our situation. I'm a big Britax fan and have been looking into the boulevard, any one used that one with an infant?

It's understandable..and i was debating this for a loooong time before deciding on an infant car seat and snap n go stroller. I may be a FTM, but I have heard the horror stories about the infant car seats..as far as LO hating them. I have a couple of friends..who switched to convertible because LO screamed their heads off the minute they were put in it...all the way until they were taken out of it.

But for me..I like the mobility..and that is better suited for an infants size. All the doctor appointments, and going grocery shopping..for my lifestyle, the infant car seat fits better. However, DH and I know that we will be getting a convertible in the future.

It's understandable..and i was debating this for a loooong time before deciding on an infant car seat and snap n go stroller. I may be a FTM, but I have heard the horror stories about the infant car seats..as far as LO hating them. I have a couple of friends..who switched to convertible because LO screamed their heads off the minute they were put in it...all the way until they were taken out of it.

But for me..I like the mobility..and that is better suited for an infants size. All the doctor appointments, and going grocery shopping..for my lifestyle, the infant car seat fits better. However, DH and I know that we will be getting a convertible in the future.

See, our infant seat is the Graco Snugride, and we really like it. We didn't have any issues and Allan didn't mind it. However, we did *not* use the LATCH system. Never have. I know it's supposed to be a comparable replacement system, but after I looked into how it works and such, I personally didn't like it and opted to use my car harness belts.

See, our infant seat is the Graco Snugride, and we really like it. We didn't have any issues and Allan didn't mind it. However, we did *not* use the LATCH system. Never have. I know it's supposed to be a comparable replacement system, but after I looked into how it works and such, I personally didn't like it and opted to use my car harness belts.

Just a thought. I wasn't allowed to leave with my first unless I had the car seat in the hospital and the baby strapped in. Also, they kept telling us that we should keep the baby in the carrier in the winter when transporting incase I were to fall.

Just a thought. I wasn't allowed to leave with my first unless I had the car seat in the hospital and the baby strapped in. Also, they kept telling us that we should keep the baby in the carrier in the winter when transporting incase I were to fall.

We also had a graco snugride and had no issues...one thing we did add was the little snugly insert that goes under the straps adds some padding to the seat while not interfering with the straps. It has a fuzzy side to add warmth (DS was a Dec baby too) and a non fuzzy side to just add cushion in the summer. We will use the seat again. We played with the other seats and like the graco the best and the latch really is safer bc the hooks are bolted to the frame of the car and it brings the belt down level since a lot of cars are starting to use shoulder straps in the middle. We NEVER got the seat tight enough in a friends car who didn't have the latch (old car). With his new seat we move it from our car to Grandmas car with the latch once a week and it's always tight enough that it won't budge. A fire department that has the certification to install a seat is a great idea if you aren't sure.

We also had a graco snugride and had no issues...one thing we did add was the little snugly insert that goes under the straps adds some padding to the seat while not interfering with the straps. It has a fuzzy side to add warmth (DS was a Dec baby too) and a non fuzzy side to just add cushion in the summer. We will use the seat again. We played with the other seats and like the graco the best and the latch really is safer bc the hooks are bolted to the frame of the car and it brings the belt down level since a lot of cars are starting to use shoulder straps in the middle. We NEVER got the seat tight enough in a friends car who didn't have the latch (old car). With his new seat we move it from our car to Grandmas car with the latch once a week and it's always tight enough that it won't budge. A fire department that has the certification to install a seat is a great idea if you aren't sure.

Sorry forgot to add one thing. DS was born 18.5 inches long 98% in height and he was no where near tall enough to go in his convertible seat as a newborn...the lowest strap was way to high on him...since the straps are supposed to be right at or just below shoulder level when the carseat is refacing it was not even close to an option to use his big seat that he's in now until he was about 9 months...he's in a britax marathon so if you opt for a convertible weigh all the options and check the height limitations for the seat rearfacing

Sorry forgot to add one thing. DS was born 18.5 inches long 98% in height and he was no where near tall enough to go in his convertible seat as a newborn...the lowest strap was way to high on him...since the straps are supposed to be right at or just below shoulder level when the carseat is refacing it was not even close to an option to use his big seat that he's in now until he was about 9 months...he's in a britax marathon so if you opt for a convertible weigh all the options and check the height limitations for the seat rearfacing

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